Ohio Gov. John Kasich's move to expand the state’s Medicaid program would add 275,000 Ohioans to the program’s rolls. Ohio now joins 18 other states and Washington, D.C., that have committed to expansion.

Expansion of Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income and disabled residents, is a key component of health care reform. But a summer U.S. Supreme Court ruling left states with the option to make any changes to their programs.

Kasich, a Republican and no fan of the reform bill, had not made it clear whether he would pursue expansion of Ohio Medicaid. But he included the expansion in his $63 billion, two-year-budget plan, introduced Monday.

Medicaid currently covers 2.2 million Ohioans.

The federal government will cover most of the costs to expand Medicaid, which is jointly funded by the federal and state governments.

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